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CHM314Sciences2 Unitsintermediate

Environmental Chemistry

This course introduces students to the fundamental chemical phenomena occurring in air, water, and soil. It emphasizes the relevance of these phenomena to the study and monitoring of environmental pollution. Students will explore the sources, types, and effects of pollution, as well as waste management strategies, water chemistry analysis, and chemical instrumentation used in environmental sciences. The course aims to equip students with the knowledge to address environmental problems from both natural and anthropogenic sources.

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208h
Study Time
13
Weeks
16h
Per Week
intermediate
Math Level
Course Keywords
Environmental ChemistryPollutionWater AnalysisWaste ManagementAtmospheric Chemistry

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📊
Math Level
Moderate Math
🔬
Learning Type
Hands-on Practice

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Biogeochemical Cycles

2

Atmospheric Chemistry

3

Water Pollution

4

Air Pollution

5

Soil Pollution

6

Waste Management

7

Water Chemistry Analysis

8

Chemical Instrumentation

9

Physical Instrumentation

Total Topics9 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

Self Assessment Exercises

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Tutor-Marked Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Environmental Chemist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Environmental Scientist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Water Quality Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Waste Management Officer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Environmental Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

Water TreatmentWaste ManagementEnvironmental ConsultingRegulatory AgenciesResearch Institutions

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Natural Cycles and Atmospheric Chemistry

2h

Unit 1: Concepts of Elementary Cycles

2 study hours
  • •Define biogeochemical cycles and provide specific examples.
  • •Explain the transformations within the carbon cycle, including respiration, decay, and combustion.
  • •Describe the roles of photosynthesis and formation of carbonic acid in carbon dioxide removal.
Week
2

Module 1: Natural Cycles and Atmospheric Chemistry

2h

Unit 2: Characteristics of the Atmosphere

2 study hours
  • •Identify the layers of the atmosphere and their characteristics.
  • •Discuss the chemical transformations in the troposphere, including hydroxyl radical formation and ozone production.
  • •Explain the formation of peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN), sulfuric acid, and nitric acid.
Week
3

Module 2: Sources, Types and Effects of Environmental Pollution

2h

Unit 1: Water Pollution

2 study hours
  • •Differentiate between contaminants and pollutants in aquatic ecosystems.
  • •Identify the effects of water pollution, such as aesthetic nuisance, oxygen depletion, and toxicity.
  • •Classify sources of water pollution into point source and non-point source discharges.
Week
4

Module 2: Sources, Types and Effects of Environmental Pollution

2h

Unit 2: Air Pollution

2 study hours
  • •Identify major air pollutants and their sources, including particulates, VOCs, and oxides of sulfur and nitrogen.
  • •Describe the health effects of air pollutants, such as respiratory irritation and carcinogenic effects.
  • •Explain the formation of ozone and peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) in the troposphere.
Week
5

Module 2: Sources, Types and Effects of Environmental Pollution

2h

Unit 3: Soil Pollution

2 study hours
  • •Identify soil pollutants and their sources, including heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and toxic organic micropollutants.
  • •Explain the transport mechanisms conveying pollutants to soils, such as atmospheric deposition and fluvial transport.
  • •Discuss the consequences of soil pollution, including soil-plant transfer of pollutants and ecotoxicological implications.
Week
6

Module 3: Waste Management

2h

Unit 1: Waste water Treatment

2 study hours
  • •State the characteristics of wastewater, including suspended solids, biodegradable organics, and pathogens.
  • •Explain the stages involved in conventional wastewater treatment: preliminary, primary, secondary, and tertiary.
  • •Discuss the challenges encountered in hot climates, such as odour control and insect nuisance.
Week
7

Module 3: Waste Management

2h

Unit 2: Composition of Solid Wastes

2 study hours
  • •Identify the types and sources of solid wastes, including municipal, industrial, and agricultural wastes.
  • •Discuss the physical and chemical composition of solid wastes.
  • •Explain the different waste disposal and treatment methods, such as open dumping, sanitary landfill, and recycling.
Week
8

Module 4: Water Chemistry and Analysis

2h

Unit 1: Physical Parameters Relevant to Water Analysis

2 study hours
  • •List the physical parameters relevant to water analysis, including turbidity, color, taste, and odor.
  • •Explain how turbidity is measured using nephelometry and its significance in public water supplies.
  • •Discuss the causes of color in water and the methods for its determination.
Week
9

Module 4: Water Chemistry and Analysis

2h

Unit 2: Important Chemical Parameters in Water Chemistry and Analysis

2 study hours
  • •Define pH, acidity, alkalinity, and water hardness.
  • •Explain how to determine acidity, alkalinity, water hardness, and residual chlorine of a water sample.
  • •Discuss the sources and significance of acidity and alkalinity in water.
Week
10

Module 4: Water Chemistry and Analysis

2h

Unit 3: Biochemical Parameters in Water Chemistry and Analysis

2 study hours
  • •Define dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and chemical oxygen demand (COD).
  • •Discuss the procedures for measuring DO, BOD, and COD.
  • •State the environmental significance of DO, BOD, and COD data.
Week
11

Module 4: Water Chemistry and Analysis

2h

Unit 4: Anions and Other Constituents of Concern in Water Chemistry and Analysis

2 study hours
  • •List common anions found in water bodies, such as chloride, fluoride, sulfate, and phosphate.
  • •State the health and environmental implications of these anions in water supplies.
  • •Discuss the methods used to determine the presence of these anions in wastewater samples.
Week
12

Module 5: Chemical and Physical Instrumentation in Environmental Sciences

2h

Unit 1: Chemical Instrumentation in Environmental Sciences

2 study hours
  • •List applications of titrimetric and gravimetric analysis involving wet chemistry.
  • •Explain how to carry out the analysis of species such as Cl-, F-, SO42-, and PO43- in an environmental sample.
  • •State the precautionary measures needed to achieve accuracy and precision in titrimetric and gravimetric analyses.
Week
13

Module 5: Chemical and Physical Instrumentation in Environmental Sciences

2h

Unit 2: Physical Instrumentation in Environmental Sciences

2 study hours
  • •List instrumental techniques for the analysis of heavy metals and organic compounds.
  • •State the principle of operation of each instrumental technique studied.
  • •Compare the advantages of one technique over another.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create detailed concept maps linking biogeochemical cycles (Units 1-3) to pollution sources.

2

Practice solving numerical problems related to water quality parameters (Units 1-4 in Module 4).

3

Review the chemical reactions involved in atmospheric pollution and ozone depletion (Module 1 and Module 2).

4

Focus on understanding the principles and applications of different waste treatment methods (Module 3).

5

Familiarize yourself with the operation and applications of chemical and physical instruments (Module 5).

6

Study case studies on environmental disasters (Unit 3 in Module 2) and their chemical causes.

7

Practice past exam questions to improve time management and application of knowledge.

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